By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Wildrose “On Your Side” Tour Wants to Hear Concerns and Priorities

Aug 3, 2016 | 11:12 PM

LETHBRIDGE:  There was a speech punctuated by cheers and applause, and ending with those in attendance on their feet.  Alberta’s Wildrose Party leader spoke for almost twenty minutes, with no apparent ‘talking points’ – just, simply, engaging the audience in who he is and what he is about.

 More than 100 people turned out to hear from Brian Jean, at the Lethbridge German Canadian club Wednesday night, as he makes his way across the province with his “On Your Side” Tour.  He is joined by local Wildrose MLAs along the way.  On this night, the audience also heard from Little Bow MLA Dave Schneider and Cardston-Taber Warner MLA Grant Hunter.

The purpose of the tour is not to speak ‘at’ people but to listen to their concerns and hear what their priorities are.

Jean was quick to point out that the biggest concerns he is hearing revolve around jobs and the economy. After that, the big issue is the Carbon Tax, and how it will eat into the income of average Albertans, even with a rebate for some.

“Let’s be clear – first of all, a full rebate, is not the full amount that they pay it’s just a maximum amount the NDP government will give, I think it’s $300 in this case, depending on how many children are in the family as well, but up to $500 in total – that means that, ultimately, most Alberta families are going to be paying at least $1000 into this carbon tax that accomplishes nothing, except it creates another tax grab for the Alberta government.”

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Jean went on to explain that the $3 Billion carbon tax is going to cause a lot of problems for a lot of sectors across our economy, including the trucking industry or any product or entity that has be transported anywhere.

“We heard as much as 15% in some cases – that means whether it be the restaurant industry or whether you buy a product at Canadian Tire or Wal-Mart, you will see an increase in price.”

He believes the carbon tax will cause the economy to further shrink and he expects on-going signals the government sends to the investment sector across the world will also create an increasingly negative impact.

Jean says the first thing he looks forward to if his party gains power in the next election, is ripping up the carbon tax. It was a comment that produced the loudest cheers.

The other major concerns being heard revolve around education and the province’s ballooning debt. The Wildrose believes parents should have control over how their children are taught and Jean says there would be more money to help people, when you aren’t spending that money to service debt. 

The one important point the Wildrose leader wants to leave the public with as he travels around the province is that his party is listening.

“We’re travelling around Alberta sharing our vision but, also clearly listening to Albertans so that we can come forward in the next election with a great set of new policies and ideas that will ring true with Albertans, and capture their hearts and minds, and hopefully, they will look at Wildrose, going forward, to bring in good fiscal policy, create jobs and save the economy.”

While waiting for the next election, Jean says his party put forward to the NDP government in January, twelve ideas in a jobs action plan but, they  have taken on only one suggestion, which was to reduce the small business tax from 3% down to 2%.  He pointed out there were a lot of ideas there that could immediately create jobs such as specific investments, a WCB premium holiday and using post-secondary facilities on a greater scale. 

Jean says his party also put forward ten ideas on how to reduce expenses without laying off front-line workers.  He notes that his party continues to put forward ideas and suggestions, some of which the NDP have taken.  He pointed to success with the Royalty Review and slowing down the increase in the minimum wage

Until the next election, Jean says the Wildrose party will continue its attempt to work with the NDP and encourage them to change the path it has set out on.

The Widlrose has a Jobs Action Plan.  It can be viewed on the party’s website